Bicycle Mechanics - help needed...paint removal from fading rims.

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ehayden71
04-15-02, 10:54 AM
I have these purple rims see, and I never really liked the color but the price was right. Anyway, they are starting to fade in the brake pad grooves. Now I really want to remove the rest...
I have tried Easy Off and failed miserably.
Has anyone ever removed the coloring from their rims???????

Please help me.

Thanks,

Tim.

MichaelW
04-15-02, 11:19 AM
That is not paint, its dye that has penetrated the anodised Al.
If you remove the material , you may weaken the structure.

You can dye it another colour if you want (black may be the only succesful recolouring)).
We anodised and dyed Al as a chemistry experiment at school.
mike
04-15-02, 12:55 PM
If the rims are not chipped, just clean the rims well with solvent, then soap/water, than alchohol and paint over the existing paint/coating.

ehayden71
04-15-02, 01:01 PM
k, sounds good so far, but........

what kind of paint does one use for painting rims?? and when painting rims is there anything (except for the brutally obvious) i should know about?

i know, i know.... i'm just full of questions.

i'm funny that way.

anyway, thanks to yous guys for this help.


tim.
mike
04-15-02, 01:18 PM
If you are painting on old paint, try enamel first. Chances are the original paint was enamel.

Enamel has the most durable finish (other than powder-coating). However, the cure time is long. Let the paint cure for a month before you re-assemble or ride the bike.
ehayden71
04-15-02, 01:23 PM
aaaaaggggghhhhhh!! wait a month!! Holy Geez. I guess the current color of the rims isn't THAT bad.
Ohhh well, thanks for the info. Guess I will start saving my pennies and go check out the 4sale boards.


tim.